DC Charter School Alliance Statement Commemorating the Start of Native American Heritage Month
By Ariel Johnson, Executive Director
Today marks the beginning of Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and commemorate the rich and storied histories, cultures, and traditions of Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native peoples. The DC Charter School Alliance recognizes that, long before the first settlers arrived in these lands, Indigenous people were here, surviving and thriving, and they continue to do so today. Along the way, they have made vital contributions to our nation’s development and growth, all while facing grave mistreatment in the forms of colonial violence, displacement, and oppression. Indigenous communities still face many systemic challenges in the modern day, and properly addressing these issues is key to ensuring a better and more equitable future for all Americans.
The celebration of Native American Heritage Month also provides us with a chance to spotlight the storied Indigenous history of the D.C. area, which many people, even D.C. residents, are unaware of. Before the arrival of European colonists, the primary residents of the region were groups like the Nacotchtank (Anacostians), the Piscataway, and the Pamunkey. While the Nacotchtank and their neighbors were displaced from the region centuries ago, they left an indelible mark on the region, providing, among many other things, the Anacostia River its name.
Today, D.C. is home to members of many different Indigenous nations and tribes, who play a vital role in shaping our city’s present and future, including in our public charter schools. They are parents and family members, students and faculty, and are pillars of their communities. This month, we take the time to appreciate all that they do and to provide a space for Indigenous teachers, students, and family members to feel honored, celebrated, and acknowledged.
If you are looking to celebrate or educate yourself on the history or present of Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities, please attend one of the many learning and cultural events the District offers. Civic Organizations like the American Indian Society of Washington D.C. exist to spread awareness of Indigenous American culture and history and to draw attention to the challenges their communities face.
